Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Summary of segment operating results
Revenues of CIEs	$ 160		$ 12		$ 337		$ 94
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	(4)		(1)		(2)		(1)
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	579		488		1,123		948
Net realized gains (losses)	1		0		6		1
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	93		(40)		208		(10)
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net	(54)		(43)		(69)		(45)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net			(2)		1		(2)
Restructuring			(1)				(3)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	619		402		1,269		889
Net Revenues	3,072		2,749		6,068		5,440
Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	1,198		1,076		2,347		2,094
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	194		150		375		280
Asset Management Segment [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	844		822		1,651		1,568
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	199		194		382		332
Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	651		635		1,287		1,259
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	170		110		346		252
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	579		550		1,134		1,087
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	91		91		150		194
Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	(2)		3		4		7
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(75)		(57)		(130)		(110)
Eliminations:
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	(355)	[1]	(348)	[1]	(696)	[2]	(669)	[2]
Operating Segments [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	2,915		2,738		5,727		5,346
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Net Revenues	3,072		2,749		6,068		5,440
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	250		252		490		480
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management Segment [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	11		10		22		19
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	83		76		163		149
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	10		10		20		20
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	$ 1		$ 0		$ 1		$ 1

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($250 and $252, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $10, respectively); Annuities ($83 and $76, respectively); Protection ($10 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and nil, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($490 and $480, respectively); Asset Management ($22 and $19, respectively); Annuities ($163 and $149, respectively); Protection ($20 and $20, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and $1, respectively).